There are plenty of exciting days on a basketball fan’s calendar: the season opener, a full slate on Christmas, and the Draft, to name a few.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the series tied 2-2? That’s a day unlike any other.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to the "Heavyweight Champion of the NBA" John Brisker! 🎉

Game 5 Preview

It all comes down to this—after countless games, minutes, and moments, the chase for the 2025 NBA championship is down to a best-of-three.

After going down 2-1 and trailing by as many as 10 in the second half of Game 4, the league-leading Thunder pulled out a tough win to tie the series at two games apiece. With a title hanging in the balance, let’s break down tonight’s Game 5.

Entering Attack Mode ⚔️

It’s no secret that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton are the engines for these teams, but the biggest factors in their respective play may both be dictated by Indiana.

Plenty of ink has been spilled over the need for Hali to be more aggressive offensively, but the real story may be his aggression as a driver. When Tyrese successfully attacks the basket, Indiana’s offense opens up thanks to his pinpoint passing and the Pacers’ lineup-wide shooting. In Game 4, Hali attempted 15 shots—that’s around his series average—but 7 of them were from three, with just one make. That resulted in a downtick from his typical assist numbers and an L for Indiana. If you see Hali in the paint early and often, expect to see the Pacers’ offense at its best.

On the other hand, Rick Carlisle has devised a variety of defensive strategies to contain SGA. Shai had his worst game of the series in Game 3 against a Pacers front that mixed between doubles, early help, late help, and every other package imaginable.

Then, in Game 4, he rebounded for a 35-point gem. It’s just hard to contain this guy.

Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard are both excellent defenders, but Shai has proven that throughout a game, he can figure out any single defender or defensive set. The key for the Pacers will be to generate enough new combinations to stump him, as much as anyone can.

Know your role, then exceed it! 📊

These Finals have no shortage of stars, but the series has also been a major showcase for both teams’ depth. These are the first Finals in 11 years with fewer than three 20+ PPG scorers—they’re also the first in 12 years with at least 17 players averaging 12+ minutes per game.

There’s been no shortage of big moments from those role players—in Indiana’s Game 3 win, Benedict Mathurin dropped 27 PTS off the bench and T.J. McConnell added 10 PTS, 5 AST, and 5 STL. Then, in Game 4, Alex Caruso dropped his second 20-point game of the series, becoming the first player in NBA history to have multiple 20-point games in the Finals after having none in the regular season.

All eyes will be on both teams’ star players, but Game 5 could very well be determined by which team’s role players shine.

Who owns the fourth? 🥊

Save for an OKC blowout win in Game 2, each game of this series has come down to a fourth-quarter battle.

Indiana has been the poster child for late-game heroics this postseason, with stellar efforts in the final frame of Games 1 and 3 delivering them their two wins thus far. But OKC reversed the narrative in Game 4, coming back from down double-digits thanks in part to some fourth-quarter heroics from SGA.

Indiana is 9-2 in clutch situations this postseason, but OKC has shown they have what it takes to win a thriller. In a big-time Game 5, it may take another.

Around the Association

Grizzlies deal Desmond Bane to Magic for KCP, Cole Anthony, first-round picks

The first major domino of the offseason has fallen, and in true NBA fashion, it comes out of absolutely nowhere. On Sunday, Memphis sent fifth-year guard Desmond Bane to Orlando in exchange for a package that included Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four first-round picks.

Below are the full details of the deal ⬇️

Magic receive: Desmond Bane

Grizzlies receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, 2025 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick swap (top-two protected)

The move is a massive bet for Orlando, who is solving their shooting problems by adding one of the NBA’s best sharpshooters but mortgaging their future against their current core.

Bane averaged 19.2 PPG for Memphis last season and shot 39.2% from three-point land on over six attempts per game, making him an instant plug-and-play difference-maker for an Orlando team that already rosters elite shot-creators like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. With next season’s Eastern Conference thought to be relatively open, Orlando took the initiative to add a stud at the start of his prime, though some may criticize the price they paid for a player who has never made an All-Star team.

For Memphis, it’s a difficult but necessary shift. Bane has been one of Memphis’ best players for years, but the haul of draft picks they got for him as well as the holes Caldwell-Pope fills make the swap worth it.

In the post-Taylor Jenkins era, KCP gives the Grizzlies championship experience, solid shooting, and plus defense—all attributes that any contending team is looking for. Anthony, a former 16 PPG scorer in his own right, also gives the Grizzlies a solid backup for star PG Ja Morant.

While this move may be a slight step back from their current roster, it secures Memphis’ future while still returning decent present value.

Durant’s New Home?

We’ve known since the trade deadline that Kevin Durant would likely be on the move this offseason. Now, we have a clearer idea than ever where the former MVP’s next home could be.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, sources have indicated that KD prefers to land with either the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, or Houston Rockets. Let’s break down each potential destination.

Miami Heat: One piece away…

A perennial potential destination for disgruntled stars, Miami has long been in position to take a big swing. But time and time again, the Heat have stood pat… until now?

With Jimmy Butler out of the picture and the duo of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro in the early part of their primes, Miami is in position to contend in a wide-open East if they add a player like Durant. The Heat also have options in terms of available draft capital to offer, though perhaps not as much as Durant’s other suitors. Will Pat Riley finally bring another superstar to South Beach?

San Antonio Spurs: History repeated?

We’re a few years removed from San Antonio’s decades-long run of dominance over the league, but the Spurs have the necessary pieces in place for their dynasty to rise again. There’s the obvious: a generational talent in Victor Wembanyama and an All-Star point guard in De’Aaron Fox. Then, there’s ROTY Stephon Castle and the No. 2 pick in next week’s draft, both pieces that could be a part of the Spurs’ future or leveraged in a trade for a star like Durant (or Giannis Antetokounmpo.)

If the Spurs hold onto Fox, a trio of him, Wemby, and KD would instantly be one of the league’s best. Throw in the Spurs’ KD-esque development plan for Wemby, and the acquisition could be the perfect start to the Mitch Johnson era.

Houston Rockets: A new timeline

The Rockets surprised plenty of people with their performance this regular season, snagging the second seed in the West with a roster primarily led by young stars. But after their disappointing loss to Golden State in the first round, Houston could very well look to accelerate their championship timeline by adding Durant

It’s a move that would also make sense for the Suns, given that they could reacquire their own 2025 and 2027 first-rounders from Houston. The Rockets’ current core of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Fred VanVleet is solid and well-rounded, but they may not have the title-winning upside the front office is after. Making a play for Durant would certainly alter the Rockets’ title equation, but would it bring them closer to the crown?

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, take the time to appreciate the closest people in your life. It’s easy to take them for granted in the hustle and bustle of it all, but we owe so much of who we are to our support systems. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan